Glenbuck and Douglas FC made the application to the REF for the floodlights to be installed at Douglas Primary School.

The project will improve accessibility for the local community using the 9-a-side MUGA pitch attached to the school.

The MUGA pitch will operate after school hours Monday to Thursday through a community let, allowing groups to book the pitch. The addition of floodlights will allow extended access on the darker nights.

Funding of almost £80,000 from the REF will contribute to 70% of the project costs. The funding comes from the Middle Muir Windfarm which is operated by Banks Renewables.

Chair of the council’s Community and Enterprise Resources Committee, Councillor Robert Brown, said: “This funding is great news for residents of Douglas and the surrounding area.

“The football team do great work in the community, coaching boys and girls of all ages, abilities and skill levels.

“They also provide football training to children from all social backgrounds within the village of Douglas and the surrounding communities.

“I am delighted that the committee agreed to approve this application.”

Robin Winstanley, sustainability and external affairs manager for Banks Group (who operate Middle Muir Wind Farm), said: “It’s brilliant to see our renewables projects, through our partners at South Lanarkshire Council, funding places which represent the beating heart of the communities hosting our projects.

“The energy transition will only be delivered in a just way if communities are at the centre of delivering the benefits renewables can provide.”

Since 2004, the council has collected and administered Community Benefit funding through Community and Enterprise Resources. 

The Resource is responsible for securing the contributions from developers, advising potential applicants, assessing applications and monitoring projects to ensure that the community benefits associated with each project are delivered. More information on the REF is available from the council website.

Processes are continuously reviewed to ensure the best practices in grant provision and monitoring are undertaken to ensure the necessary support is delivered to eligible communities.